Machine for applying webs to wire and the like



Dec. 18, 1934. c. B. FANTONE ETAL MACHINE FOR APPLYING WEBS TO WIRE ANDTHE LIKE Filed Oct. 24, 1933 4 $he t $h t 1 INVENTORS Charles 5- Fan #0"Rzubzn M- Jameson. Q h1 ATTO NEY5.

Dec. 18, 1934.

C. B FANTONE ET AL MACHINE FOR APPLYING WEBS TO WIRE AND THE LIKE FiledOct, 24, 1953 4 Sheet -sh t 2 INVENTORS Char/e5 B-F' iv zuben M-Jameson- W ATT RNEYS.

Dec. 18, 1934. c. a. FANTONE ET AL- MACHINE F'OR APPLYING WEBS TO WIREAND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 24, 1953 4 She9ts$heet 3 INVENTOR Char/25 B-Far1"0" b n M. Tdrr150fl as M AT RNEY5.-

Dec. 18, 1934. c. B. FANTONE ET AL MACHINE FOR APPLYING WEBS TO WIRE ANDTHE LIKE Filed Oct. '24, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Charles 8- FgnY kbzn M. .Tamrson.

Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR APPLYINGWEBS T WIRE AND THE LIKE tion of New Jersey Application October 24,1933, Serial No. 694,944

8 Claims.

This invention relates in general to improvements in machines forapplying a web in the form of a strip or tape, thread, wire, and thelike, to the surface of a strand in the form of a wire, cord, thread andthe like.

the strand under proper tension.

Another important object of this invention is to provide take-upmechanism for compensating for the increasing diameter of the reel offinished product as it is collected thereon and which, throughout theoperation, maintains a uniform tension on the strand going to the takeupreel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine by meansof which the ten sion on the strand may be varied between side limits inaccordance with variations in strand sizes. a

A still further object of the 'invention is to provide in a machine ofthis type independently operated means for causing longitudinal movementof the strand and independently operated means for applying the webaround the strand, each of which means may be controlled in its speed ofoperation with respect to the other.

These and many other objects, as will appear from the followingdisclosure are secured by means of the invention, one form of which hasbeen illustrated in the attached drawings.

--This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction,arrangement and relative location of parts, all as will be set forth infull detail in the following description.

The subject matter of this application is related to the subject matterof our-copending ap- No. 634,350, filed September 22,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the mechanismtaken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar cross sectional view taken at right angles to theview of Fig. 4.

- Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the same mechanism showing the casing incross sectional view on a plane near the top thereof.

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 7-'7 of Fig. 6. V

The present invention is particularly concerned with a mechanism forapplying to a strand, such as a wire, a cord and the like, a protectingor insulating layer in the form of a web or strip made of any desiredmaterial and applied to the strand in the form of a spiral orhelicalwrap in which the adjacent turns of the wrap are preferably but not"necessarily slightly overlapping. With a machine of this invention theweb is wrapped around the wire as it is advancing longitudinally of itslength. The web to be applied may be of any suitable material such aspaper insulating webs, fCellophane, and the like.

In any practical machine for this purpose, which is to be adapted forapplication of webs to strands of varying sizes, it is important toapply the proper tension to the strand at various points in its path oftravel through the machine. The first region of tension is that underwhich the wire is placed in its points of support between the supplyreel and the capstan wheel which is pulling the wire from thesupply'reel. The next important region of tension under which the strandis placed is that between the capstan wheel and. the take-up reel. As isobvious, the finished product, in being coiled up on a reel which ispower driven, continuously builds up the diameter of the resulting coil.Since the strand is being delivered at a constant rate from the capstanwheel, it is obvious that the increasing diameter of the reel isresulting in a tendency to require the wire to be fed at increasingspeeds. An im- 'portant object of this invention is to provide mechanismfor compensating for this tendency and for maintaining, at the sametime, a substantially constant tension on the wire being supplied to thetake-up reel. An additional factor is involved in the fact that amachine of this type is normally called upon to apply webs orinsulatingcoverings or cords of a wide range of gauges. The machine of thisinvention successfully accomplishes the above object on copper wires,for example, ranging in sizes from 10 to 45 gauge B and S.

These and many other features will be apparselves form any part of thisinvention and, indeed,

ent from the following detailed description including those of controlof relative speeds between the movement of the strand and theapplication of the web, the distribution of the finished product on thereel, the application of insulating varnishes and/or adhesives bothunder and over a the web as applied to the strand, and the quick dryingof the adhesive, varnish, or lacquer after application.

The machine comprises a vertical standard or column 1 which hasbeenillustrated in the form of an I beam to the upper and lower ends ofwhich are secured thecross members 2 and 3, respectively. Extendingbetween the cross members are the side bracing members 4. Mounted on theupper end of the column is a motive device illustrated in the form of anelectric motor which is connected in any suitable way through the gear.box 6 with the capstan wheel 7. Supported on the standard below thecapstan wheel in any suitable manner is an electric heating device 8which has been illustrated diagrammatically. Mounted directly below theheating device in alignment therewith is the lacquer or adhesiveapplying device 9 which likewise has been illustrated diagrammatically.At 10 is a protecting and guiding tube mounted in longitudinal alignmentwith the devices 8 and 9. Supported on the column by a suitably formedbracket is a motive device illustrated in the form of an electric motorwhich has directly connected to the shaft thereof the serving head 11which applies the web in the form of a spiral or helical wrap to theouter surface of the strand which is illustrated at W. As is apparent,the wire passes directly through the serving head and the shaft of themotor 12 which parts are mounted in longitudinal alignment with theparts 8, 9 and 10. Mounted below the motor and supported on a suitablebracket 14 is a second lacquer or adhesive applying device 13. Supporteddirectly thereunder on the bracket 14 is a guide wheel 15. It might benoted that the devices 8, 9, 11, 12v and 13 do not by themare known inseveral forms in the prior art. The details of construction of asuitable form of these devices with the exception of the devices 9 and13 will be found in our above-mentioned co pendin'g application.

Supported near the bottom on the rear of the column 1 by means ofbrackets 18 is the supply reel 16 which is journalled in the bearing 17.At 17a is diagrammatically illustrated a brake by means of which thedesired resistanceto movement of the reel may be controlled dependingupon the size of wire orstrand being processed.

Mounted on the transverse guide 23 is a longitudinallymovable crosshead22 which supports a bracket 21 in which the rod 20 is longitudinallyadjustable. Journalled on the outer end of the rod 20 is a guide pulley19. The shaft 24 upon which the take-up reel 26 is mounted is journalledon the side member 4 at 25 and passes through bearings in the casing 27.Secured to the righthand end of shaft 24 is a worm wheel 28 which mesheswith a worm 29 mounted directly on the shaft of motor 30.

Reference to Figs. 4 to '7 inclusive; at 31 is a pivot mounted on thecross head 22 which pivotally supports a block'which has slidingengagement with the lever 32. This lever is pivotally supported on astud 44 and is provided with a depending portion 32a. The ends of thelever 32 and 32a are slotted to permit sliding engagement with thecooperating members. Shaft 24 is provided with a worm 38 which mesheswith the worm wheel 39 secured to a shaft 34 which is journalled incasing 27 and bearing bracket 43. Secured to the shaft 34 is aheart-shaped cam 33 which engages a pair of rollers 35 mounted on across slide 36 which is slidably supported in the guide members 37.These guide members are attached to a support 36:: within the casing 27.

The stud 44 is secured to ablock 40 which is threadedlymounted upon anadjustable spindle 42 which is journalled, as is clear from Fig. 5, inthe casing 2'7. The block 40 is mounted for vertical, sliding movementin the guide member 41. The cross slide 36 is provided with an extension45 which slidably engages the slot in arm 32a.

At is a conduit extending from the torque -motor 30 through which thecontrol wires are carried to the control box 51 mounted on the machine;At 52 are diagrammatically illustrated the circuit wires which may beconnected to any suitable power source. 53 is the main circuit switch.Wires 54 extend from this switch to the stator windings 30a of thetorque motor 80 (see Fig. 3). The wires 55 extend from the rotorwindings 30b of the torque motor 30 to a suitable rheostat 56 by meansof which the resistance of the rotor circuit may be varied.

In the operation of this machine, the wire to be wrapped'is fed from thesupply reel around a guide wheel 15' up through the adhesive applyingguide wheel 19 of the distributing device and thence on to the take-upreel 26. Motor 5 is then set into operation. The rotation of motor 5causes the rotation of capstan wheel '7 through the gears in the gearbox 6 at the proper speed. The wire being wound several times around thecapstan wheel is pulled upwardly through all of the devicesand from thesupply reel. The torque motor 30 is in operation so as to drive theshaft 24 upon which the take-up reel is mounted. Shaft 24 is driventhrough worm 29 and worm wheel 28. The force exerted by the torque motor30 may be accurately adjusted by means of rheostat 56 so that for theparticular wire size being processed a proper tension may be placedthere on in relation to the rate of feed of the wire from the capstanwheel. Motor 12 is then set in operation so that the web is appliedthereto, in

plication of the web and to accurately control the overlap of adjacentturns.

The operation of motor 30 also operates the distributing device throughworm 38 and'vvOrm wheel 39. The rotation of worm wheel 39 causes therotation of the heart cam 33 with the result that the cross'slide 36oscillates back and forth causing oscillation of lever 32 3211 on itspivot stud 44. The oscillation of this lever effects reciprooation ofthe head 22 and the distributing mechanism 20, 21 and 19 mountedthereon. The

rate of movement of this apparatus is varied by means of the adjustingscrew 42 which vertically shifts the block 40 which pivotally supportsthe stud 44. Obviously, by raisingand lowering this finished strand iswrapped mechanism, the effect of the uniform reciprocation of the crosshead may be varied on the lever 32-32a to vary the length of the path ofreciprocation of the member 22. Thismechanism thus permits of adjustmentof the distributor so that the finished product may be applied inuniform layers to reels of different lengths.

The use of a torque motor for operating the take-up reel embodies ahighly important feature of this invention. Obviously, as the. finishedproduct is coiled up on the reel, the coil increases in diameter. Thisnaturally requires a more rapid feed of the finished product to the reelfor a constant speed of rotation of the take-up reel. However, with thepresent structure employing a torque motor, the rotor thereof may slipwith respect to the revolving field thereof and at the same timemaintain a uniform tension on the wire without in any way interferingwith the operation of any part of the apparatus. By varying the load inthe rotor circuit through the agency of the rheostat 56, the propertension may be applied to the finished product coming from the capstanwheel regardless of wire size. Likewise, by adjusting the brake 170 onthe supply reel, the proper tension may be placed upon the wire betweenthe supply reel and the capstan wheel.

Since this machine is adapted for wrapping a wide range of strand sizes,it is desirable that entire reliance should not be placed'upon thetorque motor for applying the proper tension to the finished product forall sizes in this range. It is proposed, therefore, in accordance withthis invention, to in effect divide the entire size range into aplurality of smaller size ranges. For'processing wires within thesesmaller size ranges it is desirable to change the worm wheel 28 and theworm .29 to give different speed ratios. Thus, it

these changes to secure the most efiicient operation. As illustrated inFig. 1, the casing 2'7 is constructed with an easily removable coverplate 2'7 adjacent these gears to permit of easy access to the gears 28and 29. v

From the above description, it will be apparent that our inventionresides in certain features of construction and operation which may beaccomplished by apparatus of other physical forms. We do not, therefore,desire tobe strictly limited to the disclosure as given for purposes ofillustration, but rather to the scope of. the appended claims.

What we seek to secure by United States Letters Patent is: i

1. In a strand covering 'machine thecombination comprising a strandsupply reel, a motor driven capstan wheel for drawing the strand I fromthe supply reel, meansinterposed between the two for applying a-webaround the strand', a take-up reel, and a motor directly connectedtheretov for rotating the take-up reel'so that" the thereon underuniform tension as the coil on the reel increases in diameter. r

2. In a machine of the type described, the corn= bination comprising arotatably supported strand supply reel, a"rotatably supported motordriven,

capstan wheel, means interposed therebetween .for applying a helicallywrapped web around the strand in its movement between the supply reeland the capstan wheel, a take-up reel, and a second motor for driving itand means connected therewith for distributing the finished product inuniform layers onthe reel.

3. In a machine of the type described, the combination comprisinga'rotatably supported strand supply reel, 2. rotatably supportedmotordriven capstan wheel, means interposed therebetween for applying ahelically wrapped web around the strand in its movement between thesupply reel ,and the capstan wheel, a motor driven take-up reel, andmeans connected therewith for distributing the finished product inuniform layers on the reel, the means for driving the take-up reelcomprising an adjustable torque motor, said motors and connected partsbeing mechanically independent.

4'. In a strand covering machine the combination comprising a strandsupply reel, a first motor for driving the capstan wheel for drawing thestrand from the supply reel, means interposed between the two forapplying a web around the strand, a take-up reel, means for rotating thetake up reel under constant tension, and an induction motor for drivingthe take-up reel.

5. In a device as described, the combination comprising a support, astrand supply reel mounted thereon, a first motor for driving thecapstan wheel, a second motor for driving the serving head interposedbetween the supply reel and the capstan wheel for applying a web aroundthe strand, a rotatably supported take-up reel and a third motor forrotating the take-up reel at a uniform speed.

6. In a device as described, the combination comprising a support, astrand supply reel mounthelically wrapped ed thcreon,'a first electricmotor for driving the capstan wheel, a second electric motor for driviswithin the scope of this invention to make ing the serving headinterposed between the supply reel and the capstan wheel for applying ahelically wrapped web around the strand, a rotatably supported take-upreel, a third electric motor for rotating the take-up reel at a uniformspeed, and adjustable means driven by-the motor which drives the take-upreel for distributing I the finishedproduct to the take-up reel inuniformlayers.

7. In a machine for wrapping a-thin web around a strand in spiraloverlapping portions, the com- .bination comprising astrand supply reel,a capstan wheel for drawing the strand from the supply reel, an electricmotor operatively connected to the capstan wheel, means interposedbetween the two'for applying the web around the strand, 'a take-up reeland another electric motor for rotating the take-up reel under constanttension.

8. In a machine as described for applying thin easily destructible websaround overlapping turns, the combination comprising a web around thestrand, -a take-up reel, and a second. motor for rotating the take-upreel at a a core in spiral constant-speed while winding the finishedstrand under uniform tension;

CHARLES B. em. REUBEN M. JAMESON.

6o strand supplyreel,,a motor driven capstan wheel drawing the strandfrom the supply reel,

